Vote for the Winner! (Mickey Mouse, or Stardust?)

We have a winner--and another chance to play and win!

Writerly Wednesdays here are dedicated to writers and readers. If you've published anything for Young Adults with a fantastic twist (fantasy in all varieties, paranormal, speculative fiction, horror, sci-fi, dystopian, cheese, etc.), shoot me an email (crystal AT crystal-collier DOT com). I'll be shouting about awesome books, sharing new covers, or participating in book releases every week--and I'd love to share yours. Spots are filling up quick, so schedule a date now. 

So, before the fun, let's announce the winner of Mary Waibel's Quest of the Hart. Mary told us two truths and one lie about herself, and those who guess correctly were entered into a random drawing to win a copy of her book. The options were:

1. While at college, Mary flew a plane over Lake Erie at night.

2. Mary was in a national beauty contest while in high school.

3. Mary obtained a degree in medieval history.

And, the lie is: 

#3. Mary did not obtain a degree in medieval history. 

Tricky Mary. Way to go those of you who guessed right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winner is: 

....DRUM ROLL...

Erin L. Funk! 

Congrats Erin!

Today's amazing feature is:

In a race for their world’s future, Adria has one mission: slay her father, a dark wizard, to free her twin sister from his curse. This can only be done with a magic bow buried under her father’s castle and protected by the wizard’s dragon. But her tainted twin, Audra, has other plans: seize the bow’s power and join with her father to control the entire planet. 

Now shall we meet the author?

G.R. Holton is a veteran who became friends with screenwriter and movie director Derek Milton via online gaming, when he learned his true calling in life is to write. Since that time he has had three books optioned for movies (Deep Screams, Dragon's Bow, and Teleported), and has written a screenplay. He spends his days in East Tennessee with his wife and his pet Shih-poo, "Ewok."

If you take a trip to his part of the country, you may stumble across him eating muenster at 3 in the morning. (A cheese after my own heart!)

And now for the fun! *rubbing hands*

G.R. gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Can you figure out the lie? Those who do will go into my magic hat for a chance to win a SIGNED copy of the book of your choice off his website. How cool is that? You have until Tuesday, August 6th at 1 p.m. to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on August 7th!

TRUTH OR LIE

1. G.R. used to deliver balloons as Big Bird and Mickey Mouse.

2. G.R. owns two iguanas name Ziggy and Stardust.

3. Two of G.R.'s children have birthdays one day apart. 

I'm sensing a theme here: all the two-ness is getting to me. *grin*

Okay human lie detectors, which is it? 

Book Giveaway and a Game

Hey friends, it's game time! (Will you be a winner?)

Writerly Wednesdays here are dedicated to writers and readers. If you've published anything for Young Adults with a fantastic twist (fantasy in all varieties, paranormal, specultative ficiton, horror, sci-fi, dystopian, cheese, etc.), shoot me an email (crystal AT crystal-collier DOT com). I'll be shouting about awesome books, sharing new covers, or participating in book releases every week--and I'd love to share yours. Spots are filling up quick, so schedule a date now. 

Today's amazing feature is:

A reverse Sleeping Beauty tale where the princess goes on the quest to save the prince.

Princess Kaylee has never had to fight for anything. Her entire life has been arranged, even her marriage. But when Prince Devlin falls under an enchantment, she finds she is willing to do anything to save him, even if it means fighting a dragon.

Devlin's own sister, Princess Arabella, is behind the deadly plot. She wants the throne and will use any means necessary to gain it. Her perfect plan unravels, leaving Devlin caught in a magical sleep that is slowly spreading through the kingdom of Breniera. All Arabella needs to finish her spell and claim the crown is a drop of Kaylee's blood, but obtaining the single drop is proving more difficult than expected.

To save her betrothed, Kaylee embarks on a quest to find an ancient sword and gather a drop of dragon's blood, while trying to stay out of Arabella's traps. But Arabella's traps aren't the only danger. Time is everything. For once the last inhabitant of the kingdom falls asleep, the spell will be sealed, and not even true love's kiss will break it.

Quest of the Hart is on sale for $2.99 through the 28th--don't miss your chance to get it at this awesome price.  

Now shall we meet the author?

Let me introduce the wonderful Mary Waibel--if you haven't met her already.

Mary lives with her husband, son and two cats. When she isn't twisting fairytales, she enjoys reading, playing games, watching hockey, and camping. Her debut novel, Quest of the Hart, is available from MuseItUp Publishing and major retailers. Charmed Memories, a companion novel, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing in August 2013.

Join her on facebook to learn about her upcoming release and future giveaways.

Eek! Can you feel the excitement? That's right, you only have a month to read her amazing first book before the second will be begging for your attention.

And now for the fun! *rubbing hands*

I asked Mary gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Can you figure out the lie? Those who do will go into my magic hat for a chance to win a copy of Quest of the Hart. You have until Tuesday, July 30 at 1 p.m. to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on July 31st!

TRUTH OR LIE

1. While at college, Mary flew a plane over Lake Erie at night.

2. Mary was in a national beauty contest while in high school.

3. Mary obtained a degree in medieval history.

Okay human lie detectors, which is it? 

Book Release and Giveaway

Hey friends, how would you like to play a game today?

As part of my writerly Wednesdays, we're going to get to know a little bit more about some of the AWESOME books recently released, and some little known facts about their authors. But more than that, giveaways and chances to win free stuff await--because who doesn't love the chance to win, eh?

Monday, Catherine Stine released her sequel to Fireseed One, Ruby's Fire. She has received much praise for her other works, and I, for one, am excited to pick up this series and get started.

Seventeen year-old Ruby and her little brother Thorn, have only known a life blighted by the extremist Fireseed Cult. The night Ruby is set to be claimed by one of its cruelest and oldest leaders, she makes a bid for freedom. With Thorn in tow, she stumbles into the world beyond, and finds an opportunity for a fresh start in Skull’s Wrath under the guidance of Nevada Pilgrim, a woman who may not be all she seems. Ruby's new life could bring her friendship, love, even fortune, but nothing comes without a price. Is Ruby's talent for elixirs keeping the roof over their heads, or do some of her associates have a more sinister and lucrative interest in them? Life outside a strange cult isn't without its dangers, and the experience leaves Ruby transformed and communing with the Fireseed more closely than she ever would have imagined. Stine delivers a thrilling adventure led by an exciting cast of characters, and the romance is really well handled.

Now shall we meet the author?

Catherine Stine writes YA, New Adult and middle grade fiction. Her YA futuristic thriller, Fireseed One, illustrated by the author won finalist spots in both YA and Science Fiction in the 2013 USA Book News International Book Awards. It was also granted a 2013 Bronze Wishing Shelf Book Award and a 2013 Indie Reader Approved notable stamp. Her YA Refugees, earned a New York Public Library Best Book. Middle grade novels include A Girl’s Best Friend.

More and more, Catherine enjoys writing speculative tales where her imagination has wild and free reign. She has taught creative writing workshops at the Philadelphia Writing Conference, Missouri University Summer Abroad, The New School and in her own ongoing NYC writing workshop. She loves her readers, and enjoys blogging.

Sign up for her newsletter to learn about freebies and future giveaways.

Here's your chance to win a copy: a Rafflecopter giveaway

And now for some fun! *rubbing hands*

I asked Catherine to share a couple unique facts about herself. She gave me two truths, and one lie. Can you figure out the lie? The person who does will win either a signed paperback (US only) or ebook of Ruby's Fire. If there's more than one, their names will go into my magic hat. You have until next Wednesday to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on July 3rd!

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Catherine sat next to Tom Petty on a first class plane ride to LA.

2. Her son's band played All Along the Watchtower with Eddie Vedder.

3. Buddy Guy invited her to a private bash.

Okay human lie detectors, which is it? 

Guest Post Monday

Hello, Friendlies!

Today I'm guest posting over at Jolyn Brown's blog in anticipation of a book release--A Circle of Sisters, where one of my short stories will be published. Yay!

Check it out, eh? And eat more cheese!